The West Salem Village Board met Monday Evening at West Salem Village Hall for their February session.
The Village has been approved for a grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The grant is for improvements to Mill Pond Park (201 Charles Street). Plans include refurbishing the East tenniscourt, converting the West tennis court into pickle ball and volleyball courts, installing new lighting and fencing, along with adding a new ADA parking area. Donations will be sought to help with the matching fund requirement of the grant.
Officer Hunter Michl has resigned his part-time position with the Village to accept a full-time position in Crawford County. Police Chief Weber will be working some additional hours until the position is filled.
A Liquor License application for a local restaurant was discussed. Illinois State Statues are less restrictive than the Village’s Liquor Ordinance. The Village’s Liquor Ordinance states that, “no license shall be issued for the sale at retail of any alcoholic liquor that would be located within one hundred (100) feet of any church or school. The distance shall be measured from the property boundary of the licensed premises to the property boundary of the school or church.” The restaurant property line is within 100 feet of a church’s property line. The Board mayconsider easing the Village’s restrictions to better align with the Illinois State Statues at a future meeting.
Village Trustees are looking at revising the existingAnimal Ordinance. There is no Animal Control officer for Edwards County. The Village Board is working on finding another solution to residents’ concerns about the number of stray cats, and dogs running loose within the Village limits.
Village Hall is now accepting credit card payments. Credit card payments may be made in person during normal business hours. Online credit card payments are not currently accepted, but will be accepted when the Village has a website.
In action items at the meeting, the Board approved a revised Garbage Ordinance. The Ordinance states that trash receptacles should not be left at the curb for more than 48 hours. Residents should store their trash receptacles adjacent to their residents or other structure on the premises.
The Board approved a revised Nuisances (Weeds) Ordinance. The Ordinance provides more clarity on defining ‘overgrowth’ and that vegetation should not obstruct sidewalks, public walkways, or streets.
The Board approved an Agreement with Charleston Engineering to conduct Lead Service Line Inventory for the Village. West Salem was recently awarded a $30,000 grant from the State of Illinois to complete this inventory.
The Board approved proceeding with an applicationfor the 2024 Illinois Public Water Supply Loan Program. Funds would be used to replace 2” water supply lines with 6” water supply lines.
The Board approved the proposal from Hit1 Marketing to develop a website for the Village. The website will increase government transparency, making information about the Village more accessible to residents. It will also enable residents to make online payments to the Village. It is anticipated that the website will take four to six months to launch.
The Board approved the purchase of two new computers, router, and phone system for Village Hall, as well as two police body cameras.
The Board approved the purchase of the concrete for the new bleachers being installed at Centennial Park (400 Boundary Street). The West Salem Athletic Association is purchasing the bleachers, and supplying the labor to install the bleachers.